Professor Stephen Croft is a faculty member at Lancaster University , affiliated with the School of Engineering . His research focuses on Nuclear Materials Measurement Science , with expertise in radiation detection, neutron interrogation, and X-ray/gamma-ray spectroscopy. Current projects include cosmic ray neutron monitoring , active neutron interrogation of nuclear materials , and radiation damage assessment . His recent publications emphasize semi-empirical modeling of atomic interactions and advanced detection techniques for nuclear applications. He has contributed to understanding vacancy transfer probabilities , X-ray fluorescence cross-sections , and water detection in nuclear environments . His work supports nuclear security, power plant safety, and space weather monitoring. Scientific awards : None explicitly mentioned in the text. Research groups : Involved in Nuclear Space Weather initiatives.
Shaukat Ali serves as Research Professor and Head of the Department of Engineering Complex Software Systems at Simula Research Laboratory, concurrently holding the title of Chief Research Scientist. His academic leadership drives innovation at the critical nexus of quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and software engineering, with concentrated expertise in verification, validation, and testing methodologies for complex systems including cyber-physical infrastructures and autonomous robotics. His primary research domains encompass: Verification and Validation Search-Based Software Engineering Autonomous Driving Systems Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering Digital Twin Technologies Quantum Software Engineering Analysis of recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a decisive trend toward quantum-AI convergence in software engineering, particularly through quantum software testing frameworks and AI foundation models applied to cyber-physical systems. His work systematically addresses noise mitigation in quantum hardware, uncertainty quantification in adaptive robotics, and novel testing paradigms using vision-language models for industrial robotics—demonstrating both theoretical rigor and industrial applicability. As department head, Ali spearheads strategic research directions in complex software systems, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration while actively shaping quantum software engineering through workshops like QAI2024 and Q-SANER 2024. His invited presentations at venues including JYU Quantum Electronics and EU-Korea Quantum Forums underscore his influence in defining emerging research landscapes.
Olivier Tougait is a Professor at the Chemistry, materials and processes for sustainable nuclear power (CIMEND) department within the Unité de Catalyse et Chimie du Solide (UCCS) at Université Lille . He specializes in solid-state chemistry, nuclear materials, and actinide-based compounds, with a focus on understanding fuel cycle processes for nuclear energy. Academic Background: PhD in Chemistry (1998, Université de Rennes1), Postdoctoral Fellow at Northwestern University (1998-2000). Career: Lecturer at Rennes1 (2000-2014), now Professor at UCCS since 2014. Collaborations include the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) , Orano , and Framatome . Research Interests: Actinide-based intermetallic compounds Phase diagrams of nuclear materials Magnetocaloric properties Fuel cycle process optimization Synthesis and thermodynamic behavior of uranium alloys Collaborative industrial nuclear R&D Publications since 2012 focus on: Uranium-molybdenum fuel characterization Germanium/Aluminum substitution in actinide systems Thermal stability of uranyl peroxide nanoclusters Crystallographic analysis of heavy-fermion materials Labs: Directs the joint research laboratories LR4CU and LRC PUMA, which collaborate with Orano and Framatome on nuclear fuel cycle innovations.
Sriraam Natarajan is a Professor and Director of the Center for Machine Learning and StaRLing Lab at The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), part of the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering & Computer Science. He holds additional roles as a hessian.AI Fellow at TU Darmstadt and an RBCDSAI Distinguished Faculty Fellow at IIT Madras. His expertise spans Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and their applications in healthcare, with a focus on Relational Learning, Reinforcement Learning, and Graphical Models. He has been honored as an AAAI Fellow (2025), elected to the AAAI Executive Council, and recognized with the UTD Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award. Education: Completed his PhD in Computer Science at Oregon State University in 2007 under Prof. Prasad Tadepalli. Postdoctoral work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with Professors Jude Shavlik and David Page. Previously served as faculty at Indiana University and Wake Forest School of Medicine. Research: Active in developing AI systems for healthcare, including predictive models for gestational diabetes and cardiac arrest in children. His work emphasizes integrating human knowledge into machine learning (e.g., Human-in-the-Loop systems) and advancing statistical relational AI frameworks like Markov Logic Networks and Probabilistic Circuits. Publications: Over 100 peer-reviewed articles, including notable works on causal learning, relational reinforcement learning, and knowledge graph construction. Recent focuses include explainable AI and scalable probabilistic models. Awards: AAAI Fellow, RBCDSAI Distinguished Fellowship, UTD Teaching Excellence Award. Advising and Collaboration: Mentored over 30 students, many now in academia and top institutions like IBM Research, Facebook, and Microsoft. Collaborates globally on projects like GLAD (Glocalized Anomaly Detection) and StaRLing Lab initiatives. Labs/Teams: Leads the StaRLing Lab, focusing on statistical relational AI, and directs UTD's Center for Machine Learning. Engaged in interdisciplinary projects with healthcare, robotics, and data science communities.
Luciano Lavagno is a Full Professor at the Department of Electronics and Telecommunications, Polytechnic University of Turin, with over two decades of academic and research contributions. His work bridges hardware acceleration, low-power electronics, and intelligent system design. Research Focus: Hardware-accelerated machine learning, high-level synthesis (HLS) for FPGA/ASIC, heterogeneous CPU/GPU/FPGA platforms Key Projects: SPACE (predictable acceleration), REBECCA (secure AI acceleration), HPC-National Center (quantum computing), and oral history preservation via "Ti racconto una storia" initiative His recent publications analyze CNN inference optimization, subgraph isomorphism, and superword-level parallelism exploitation. Lavagno supervises multiple PhD students working on FPGA acceleration, neural network hardware, and embedded systems. As Principal Investigator for national and EU-funded projects (PRIN, JTI-ECSEL, PNRR), he drives advancements in sustainable computing infrastructure. His patented technologies include MIx&Latch timing methodology, capacitive sensing innovations, and 5G acceleration frameworks.
Yoon Jung Choi serves as Assistant Professor in Industrial Design within the School of Design at Virginia Tech, where she bridges sustainable design, behavioral science, and technology to advance circular economy principles through interdisciplinary research and industry collaboration. Her academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Innovation Design Engineering from the Royal College of Art, UK M.A. in Graphic Communication Design from Kingston University, UK B.A. in Product Design from Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, UK Choi's research centers on accelerating sustainability in industrial design through behavioral interventions and technological innovation. She investigates how design influences consumer behavior to reduce waste, extend product lifecycles, and enable circular material flows, with particular emphasis on children's products, packaging systems, and community-driven co-design approaches. Her work integrates participatory methods with AI applications to develop practical solutions for real-world sustainability challenges. Analysis of her publication portfolio reveals consistent focus on circular economy implementation, with recurring themes in product hibernation, care practices for material longevity, and systemic approaches to waste reduction. Her research demonstrates growing integration of AI-driven methodologies and community engagement strategies across diverse contexts including food waste transformation and toy reuse systems. Her scientific recognition includes: New Faculty Teaching Award, School of Design, Virginia Tech (2023) College Scholarship, Royal College of Art, UK (2015) Toshiba Hard Disc Drive Revolution Design Competition Highly Commended Award (2005) ICI Dulux Student Design Award Runner-up Prize (2001) Choi has secured significant research funding including VT Engage Development funds for community collaboration with SustainFloyd, Center for Human-Computer Interaction matching funds, and multiple ICAT SEAD grants supporting projects like ToySphere (focusing on toy reuse systems) and Sustainable Art Painting initiatives. Her ten years of industry experience at major design consultancies including Samsung Design Europe informs her practical approach to academic research. She leads the ToySphere project employing co-design methods to transform food waste into natural pigments and develop community-based reuse systems, demonstrating her commitment to translating research into tangible environmental solutions through interdisciplinary team collaboration.
Bernard Doudin is a Professor at the University of Strasbourg, working with the Magnetic Objects on the NanoScale (DMONS) group at the Institute of Physics and Chemistry of Materials of Strasbourg (IPCMS). He holds office 1014 and can be contacted at bernard.doudin@ipcms.unistra.fr. Doudin has been actively coordinating several major research initiatives including STnano Coordinator for Innovative Training Networks, Coordinator of the Graduate School Quantum Science and Nanomaterials QMat, and Coordinator of the Interdisciplinary Thematic Institute Quantum Science and Nanomaterials. Doudin's research focuses on nanoscale devices that leverage the spin degree of freedom, with expertise spanning spintronics, 2D electronic detectors, multi-stimuli devices, and magnetic forces at the nanoscale. His work bridges physics, materials science, and chemistry, exploring applications in molecular electronics, nanofluidics, and electrochemistry. He has pioneered original systems and concepts in spintronics, evolving toward multifunctional devices that take advantage of quantum properties at the nanoscale. Analysis of his recent publications (2022-2025) reveals a strong focus on van der Waals heterostructures, magnetic microhydrodynamics, and graphene-based spintronic devices. His research shows a clear trend toward integrating multiple physical phenomena (magnetic, electrical, optical) in single devices, with particular emphasis on neuromorphic computing applications, magnetically controlled fluid dynamics, and photoferroelectric effects. The publications demonstrate interdisciplinary collaboration across physics, materials science, and engineering disciplines. PhD prize of the University of Lausanne (top 2%) NSF Career grant (1998) Adjunct Director of the NSF MRSEC Center (2000) Chaired Professor of the French Ministry (2005) Fellow of the University of Strasbourg International Studies (2014) Fellow of the Institut Universitaire de France (Senior, 2021) Professor Doudin has secured significant research funding and coordinates multiple large-scale projects including the Innovative Training Networks Marie Skodowska-Curie actions and the Graduate School Quantum Science and Nanomaterials. His leadership extends to scientific direction of cleanroom facilities and interdisciplinary research initiatives that bring together approximately 50 principal investigators across various quantum science and nanomaterials projects. Doudin leads research activities at IPCMS, particularly within the DMONS group focusing on magnetic phenomena at the nanoscale. His work integrates experimental approaches across spintronics, nanofabrication, and materials characterization, with strong connections to both fundamental physics and potential applications in next-generation electronic devices.
Zachariah Addison is an Assistant Professor of Physics at Wellesley College, specializing in quantum condensed matter theory. His research focuses on topological and geometric aspects of electronic dynamics, particularly in quantum materials like topological insulators, skyrmion phases, and chiral magnets. He explores phenomena such as anomalous Hall effects, nonlinear optical responses, and quantum transport using quantum field theory methods. Education: B.S. in Physics from MIT, M.S. and Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Pennsylvania. Addison teaches a range of physics courses emphasizing hands-on learning through computational tools (Mathematica, GUI) and experimental demonstrations. He actively involves students in research projects, fostering thesis work and publication opportunities. Professional contributions include peer review for journals like Physical Review B and editorship of an open-access journal special edition. He is developing a textbook series for introductory physics curricula. Outside academia, Addison is an avid classical violinist and chamber music performer. His recent research trends emphasize topological transport mechanisms in magnetic systems, with publications analyzing Hall effects in chiral magnets and quantum valley hall edge states in graphene. Key themes include the interplay of topology, spin-orbit coupling, and nonlinear responses in functional materials.
Dr. Fabian Schmid is a Researcher affiliated with the Institute for Quantum Electronics at ETH Zürich, working within the Professorship for Experimental Quantum Information . His research focuses on quantum control, precision spectroscopy, and optical frequency comb technologies. Key applications include molecular ion manipulation, laser cooling techniques, and advanced spectroscopic methods for atomic and molecular systems. His work bridges quantum physics and optics, with contributions to ultra-stable laser systems, low-repetition-rate frequency combs, and high-resolution spectroscopic measurements. Recent efforts target applications in trapped ion systems and new boson constraints via calcium isotope studies. Schmid's experimental setups often involve precision engineering of optical components and cavity-stabilized laser systems. Notable experimental achievements include demonstrating quantum control over single molecular ions (H₂⁺) and developing number-resolved detection methods for Coulomb crystals. His research also explores synergies between dual-species laser cooling and cavity-based technologies. While currently holding no listed academic awards, Schmid's contributions are evident through his prolific publishing record in top-tier physics journals. His lab work integrates cutting-edge quantum optics with atomic physics to advance fundamental understanding and precision measurement capabilities.
Shanhui Fan is the Joseph and Hon Mai Goodman Professor of the School of Engineering at Stanford University, with a courtesy appointment in Applied Physics and a Senior Fellowship at the Precourt Institute for Energy. He directs the Edward L. Ginzton Laboratory and holds a Ph.D. in theoretical condensed matter physics from MIT. His research focuses on nanophotonics, including photonic crystals, metamaterials, quantum optics, and radiative cooling technologies. He has published over 700 papers and holds 80+ patents, with awards including the R. W. Wood Prize and membership in the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering. Education: B.Sc. (Physics, 1992) University of Science and Technology of China; Ph.D. (Physics, 1997) MIT. Affiliations: Edward L. Ginzton Laboratory, Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University. Research Highlights: Radiative cooling systems (e.g., subambient cooling), photonic synthetic dimensions, quantum optics with free electrons, and energy-efficient materials. His work bridges theoretical and experimental photonics, with applications in renewable energy, imaging, and quantum technologies. Recent advancements include nighttime electric power generation via radiative cooling and nonreciprocal metasurface devices. He advises over 20 graduate students and postdocs, contributing to breakthroughs in photonics and energy systems. Awards & Honors: R. W. Wood Prize (Optica, 2022) Simons Investigator in Physics (2021) Member, National Academy of Sciences (2025) Member, National Academy of Engineering (2024) Grants & Teams: Leads the Light-Matters Initiative (LMI EFRC) and co-founded Skycool Systems and Flexcompute. His lab collaborates on radiative cooling textiles and photonic neural networks.
Prof. Dr. Wouter Van Gompel is an Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) at Hasselt University's Faculty of Sciences, leading the Hybrid Materials Design (HyMaD) research group. His work focuses on designing hybrid materials for optoelectronics, particularly low-dimensional hybrid perovskites. He holds a PhD from Hasselt University (2019) and completed postdoctoral research at EPFL and the University of Cambridge, supported by FWO and BOF grants. Education: Master in Chemistry, Ghent University (2015) PhD in Chemistry, Hasselt University (2019) Research Interests: Hybrid perovskite design and synthesis Optoelectronic applications (solar cells, photovoltaics) Charge transfer dynamics and energy funnelling Material stability and structural engineering Organic-inorganic interfaces Grants & Projects: FWO-SB PhD grant (2015–2019) FWO-SBO project collaboration with imec and Belgian universities (postdoc) BOF postdoctoral mandate (2022) Current projects include optoelectronic materials for neuromorphic computing and solar cells Teaching & Supervision: Coordinating lecturer for courses like Fundamentals of Materials Chemistry and Hybrid Materials and Functional Interfaces Supervising PhD students in areas like perovskite stability, chirality, and neuromorphic applications Labs & Groups: Head of HyMaD expertise group at Hasselt University Collaborates with IMOMEC institute and international labs
Tamara Drucks is a PreDoc Researcher at the Department of Machine Learning, Technische Universität Wien. She specializes in machine learning, with a focus on graph neural networks, bioinformatics, and optimization algorithms. Drucks teaches courses including 'Introduction to Machine Learning' and 'Theoretical Foundations and Research Topics in Machine Learning.' Her research explores expressive power of graph networks and applications in phylogenetic modeling. Key projects include the StruDL initiative (2023–2027) focusing on maximally expressive GNNs for outerplanar graphs. She has advised one PhD student, Martin Plattner, on optimization techniques in machine learning. Publications span theoretical advancements in GNNs and practical applications in computational biology. Drucks holds a Diploma in Technical Mathematics from TU Wien (2021) and is involved in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of AI and biological data analysis.
Marco Paggi is a Full Professor of Structural Mechanics at the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, Italy, since 2017. He previously held academic roles at Politecnico di Torino (Assistant Professor, 2007-2013) and has been an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at Leibniz University Hannover. His research focuses on fracture mechanics, contact mechanics, and computational methods applied to renewable energy systems, composite materials, and multi-scale modeling. Key Themes: Fracture propagation, contact interfaces, phase field modeling, photovoltaic durability, and material heterogeneity. Awards: Stanford Top 2% Scientists (2020-2024) Research.com Top Scientists (2022-2024) European Structural Integrity Society Young Scientist Award (2010) Publications: His work spans tribology, computational fracture mechanics, and material degradation, with recent emphasis on phase field modeling for quasi-brittle materials and photovoltaic systems. He has pioneered methods for multi-scale and multi-physics analysis of structural systems. Mentorship: Supervised 17 PhD graduates and 14 postdocs, including award-winning researchers like Pietro Lenarda and Zeng Liu.
Courtney N. Reed is a Lecturer in Digital Technologies at Loughborough University London, where she joined in November 2023. She maintains a dual role as a visiting research fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Informatics. Her academic journey includes a BMus in Electronic Production and Design from Berklee College of Music (2016), followed by an MSc (2018) and PhD (2023) in Computer Science from Queen Mary University of London. Prior to her current position, she completed postdoctoral research at both the Max Planck Institute for Informatics and King's College London. Bachelor of Music: Electronic Production and Design, Berklee College of Music (2016) Master of Science: Computer Science, Queen Mary University of London (2018) Doctor of Philosophy: Computer Science, Queen Mary University of London (2023) Dr. Reed's research explores the entangled relationships between humans, bodies, instruments, and technology in music interaction, with particular focus on vocal electromyography (VoxEMG) and the vocalist-voice relationship. Her work incorporates feminist and post-human theories to examine sociopolitical contexts within arts technology, aiming to design for creativity while acknowledging individual, messy bodies in artistic practice. She has developed an open-source platform for vocal electromyography to investigate how biosignal feedback changes understanding and perception of the body in vocal performance. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges music technology, human-computer interaction, and embodied interaction studies. Analysis of Dr. Reed's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong thematic focus on embodied interaction in music technology, with particular emphasis on vocal performance, biosignal feedback, and the philosophical underpinnings of digital instrument design. Her work consistently integrates theoretical frameworks like Karen Barad's agential realism with practical applications in digital musical instruments. Key trends include the exploration of ambiguity in data representation, the sociocultural dimensions of timbre in instrument design, and the development of novel methodologies for understanding embodied musical experiences through micro-phenomenology and ethnographic approaches. ACM SIGCHI Outstanding Dissertation Award (2024) for her thesis 'Imagining & Sensing: Understanding and Extending the Vocalist-Voice Relationship Through Biosignal Feedback' Best Newcomer Award at Loughborough University London's Community Awards Celebration (2024) Dr. Reed actively contributes to the academic community through conference organization and leadership roles. She serves as Member-at-Large on the NIME Board, previously chaired papers for NIME 2024, and co-organized the IBM SkillsBuild Sprint at Loughborough London. She has also chaired sessions at the ACM TEI Conference and co-chaired the Student Design Competition. Her collaborative work spans multiple institutions and includes significant contributions to interdisciplinary projects that bridge music, technology, and human experience. She has been instrumental in developing the senSInt research group and the RaveNET wearable network project. Dr. Reed leads the senSInt research group which focuses on sensorimotor interaction in music and performance contexts. The group develops innovative technologies including the VoxEMG platform for vocal electromyography, the Bones anti-corset for vocal performance, and the RaveNET network of wearable biosensing nodes. These projects explore the intersection of biosignals, embodied interaction, and musical expression, creating novel frameworks for understanding how technology mediates human creativity and performance. The group frequently collaborates with musicians, technologists, and theorists to develop and test these systems in real-world performance contexts.
Michael Turner is a Professor of Materials Chemistry and Director of the Organic Materials Innovation Centre (OMIC) at the University of Manchester's School of Chemistry. He holds a Chair in Materials Chemistry and leads the Knowledge Centre for Materials Chemistry (KCMC), a virtual interdisciplinary research hub. His research focuses on synthesizing conjugated molecules for applications in organic electronics, including transistors, LEDs, sensors, and solar cells. He coordinates the EPSRC-funded Organic Materials for Electronics Consortium (OME-C), involving collaborations across multiple institutions. Education: Bachelor's and PhD from the University of Bristol (organometallic chemistry with Prof. Selby Knox). Postdoctoral work in the U.S. with Prof. Harry Allcock on polyphosphazenes, followed by research at the University of Sheffield on Fischer-Tropsch reactions under Prof. Peter Maitlis. Research Interests: Synthesis of conjugated liquid crystals and polymers, organic electronics, electro-optical devices, and nanoscale fabrication. His work addresses challenges in energy, environment, and material synthesis through novel polymer architectures and functional nanoparticles. Key Projects: Principal Investigator for KCMC, advancing applied materials chemistry and knowledge transfer. Leading projects on CRISPR-Cas technology integration into organic electronics and roadside breath analysis of narcotics. Contributions to neuromorphic computing via printed electronics and bioelectronics networks. Awards: Royal Society University Research Fellowship (1993). Grants & Collaborations: Coordinates EPSRC consortia and collaborates internationally on polymer synthesis, sensor systems, and bio-inspired materials. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly energy and environmental innovation. Labs & Teams: Directs OMIC and KCMC, fostering interdisciplinary research in organic materials, device fabrication, and nanotechnology applications.
